Power Transfer Seat

ABSTRACT

A power transfer seat base includes a top fixed plate having a fixed stop attached to an upper surface thereof, a rotating plate mounted on the top fixed plate, the rotating plate having a rotating stop attached to a bottom surface thereof, and a user control interface box mounting bracket mounted on the rotating plate. An operating control having a rotation control switch and a directional control switch disposed on a user control interface box body that is mounted on the mounting bracket. The rotating plate is configured so that the rotating stop and the mounting bracket may be connected to the rotating plate at different positions. The power transfer seat also includes a mounting system that is configured to be connected to the base at different locations in a fore/aft direction and at different locations in a lateral direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/899,250, the United States national phase of InternationalApplication No. PCT/US2014/044355 filed Jun. 26, 2014, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/839,635, filed onJun. 26, 2013, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a six way power transfer seat used bypersons confined to wheelchairs for transferring from a wheelchair to avehicle driver or front passenger seat and operating controls for such apower transfer seat.

Description of Related Art

Six way power transfer seats provide three movements for a personconfined to a wheelchair to transfer from the wheelchair to a vehicledriver or passenger seat and subsequently to a forward position withinthe vehicle suitable for driving. In particular, such seats are capableof moving forward and rearward in the vehicle fore/aft direction, upwardand downward, and rotationally about a vertical axis. The displacementof the transfer seat is typically two to three times that available inan OEM operated seat base. A four way power transfer seat is also commonand is produced by forgoing either the raise and lower function or theswivel function of the six way power transfer seat, thereby creating asystem that can be made available for less cost in applications whereall three ranges of motion are not required.

Since their introduction in the early 1980's, nearly all transfer seatshave been operated with a user control interface consisting of toggleswitches; two switches for a four way power transfer seat and threeswitches for a six way power transfer seat. Early control designsfeatured two or three toggle switches arranged in a row atop a small boxlocated approximately at the hip on the inboard side of the bucket seat.Without looking at the layout of the switches of such an arrangement, itwas difficult to select the proper switch for the function desired. Animprovement to the early design was to change the shape of the box sothat the switches could be more directionally oriented.

Whether arranged in a straight line on a small box or directionallyoriented, another concern of the operator is the inadvertent operationof a seat movement function while the vehicle is underway. Accordingly,further improvement involved the addition of a guard to minimize thepotential for inadvertent operation. Such guards also serve to protectthe switches during the transfer process but do not limit the movementof the switch.

Additionally, different vehicles employ different seat mounting systems.The current approach for mounting a power transfer seat within a vehiclerequires that a different seat base (i.e., a separate SKU) be providedto accommodate every different vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, there is a general need in the art for a power transferseat having operating controls that are intuitively identified andoperated, and are also arranged and configured to prevent inadvertentactuation or overloading of the switch. There is also a general need inthe art for a power transfer seat that is configurable for right andleft hand installation, and that provides a seat base that may beconfigured for installation in a variety of different vehicles.

According to one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, a power transferseat operating control is provided that includes tactilely intuitivecontrols that save time and eliminate user frustration; switchprotective elements that protect the various switches in the operatingcontrol from damage while the operator transfers to/from the wheelchairto/from the vehicle seat; and a Controller Area Network (CAN) basedvehicle interlock that enhances operator safety by disabling thetransfer seat controls when the vehicle transmission is not in PARK.

According to another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, aconfigurable assembly and mounting system is provided that enables thesame base unit to be installed in a variety of different vehicleapplications. In particular, an improved seat base is fitted with aconfigurable system of hooks and forks that enable a single baseconfiguration to be used with a range of different vehicle specificapplication kits in order to facilitate application to a wide range ofvehicles. The system is also configurable to provide the ability toassemble the same set of components for use in either the driver's orpassenger's side application. The system enables the equipment dealer tostock less material that is applicable to a wider range of vehicles thancompetitive systems.

In accordance with one preferred and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, a power transfer seat base is provided. The powertransfer seat base includes a top fixed plate, the top fixed platehaving at least one fixed stop attached to an upper surface of the topfixed plate, a rotating plate mounted on the top fixed plate, therotating plate having at least one rotating stop attached to a bottomsurface of the rotating plate, and a user control interface box mountingbracket mounted on the rotating plate. The rotating plate is rotatablymounted to the top fixed plate and configured so that the at least onerotating stop and the user control interface box mounting bracket may beconnected to the rotating plate at different positions.

The at least one fixed stop attached to the upper surface of the topfixed plate may include at least two fixed stops attached to opposingsides of the upper surface of the top fixed plate. The at least onefixed stop attached to the upper surface of the top fixed plate isconfigured to engage the at least one rotating stop attached to thebottom surface of the rotating plate to stop rotation of the rotatingplate with respect to the top fixed plate in a direction of rotation.The at least one rotating stop and the user control interface boxmounting bracket may be connected to the rotating plate on differentsides of the rotating plate.

The power transfer seat base may also include an operating control. Theoperating control includes a user control interface box body, at leastone rotation control switch disposed on a first portion of the usercontrol interface box body, the at least one rotation control switchconfigured to be actuated to control rotational movement of the powertransfer seat about a vertical axis, and a directional control switchdisposed on a second portion of the user control interface box body, thedirectional control switch configured to be actuated to control forwardand rearward movement of the transfer seat base and upward and downwardmovement of the power transfer seat. The user control interface box bodyis configurable for both driver and passenger side applications. Theoperating control may be mounted on the user control interface boxmounting bracket. The first portion of the user control interface boxbody may include a forward half of the user control interface box bodyand the second portion of the user control interface box body mayinclude a rearward half of the user control interface box body.

The power transfer seat base may further include a mounting system forthe power transfer seat base. The mounting system includes at least oneremovable cross member, the at least one removable cross member beingconfigured to be attached to the power transfer seat base at differentlocations in a fore/aft direction, and at least one movable hook, the atleast one movable hook configured to be attached to the power transferseat base and the at least one removable cross member at differentlocations in a lateral direction. The at least one removable crossmember may include at least two removable cross members. The mountingsystem may further include at least two attachment brackets disposed onthe power transfer seat base. Each of the at least two attachmentbrackets may be connected to a respective one of the at least tworemovable cross members. Each of the at least two attachment bracketsincludes a plurality of adjustment holes defined therein and spacedapart in the fore/aft direction. Each of the at least two attachmentbrackets may be connected to the respective one of the at least tworemovable cross members by at least one fastener engaging the respectiveone of the at least two removable cross members and at least one of theplurality of adjustment holes of the attachment bracket.

The at least one movable hook may include at least two movable hooks.The at least one removable cross member may include at least two sets ofadjustment holes defined therein at opposite ends of the at least oneremovable cross member. The adjustment holes of each set are spacedapart in the lateral direction. Each of the at least two movable hooksmay be connected to the at least one removable cross member by at leastone fastener engaging the movable hook and at least one of theadjustment holes of the set of adjustment holes in the respective end ofthe at least one removable cross member. The mounting assembly mayfurther include at least one movable fork configured to be attached to arear of the power transfer seat base at different locations in thelateral direction.

In accordance with another preferred and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, an operating control for a power transfer seat isprovided. The operating control includes a user control interface boxbody, at least one rotation control switch disposed on a first portionof the user control interface box body, the at least one rotationcontrol switch configured to be actuated to control rotational movementof the power transfer seat about a vertical axis, and a directionalcontrol switch disposed on a second portion of the user controlinterface box body, the directional control switch configured to beactuated to control forward and rearward movement of the transfer seatbase and upward and downward movement of the power transfer seat. Thefirst portion of the user control interface box body may include aforward half of the user control interface box body and the secondportion of the user control interface box body may include a rearwardhalf of the user control interface box body. The user control interfacebox body may be configurable for both driver and passenger sideapplications. The forward half and the rearward half of the user controlinterface box body may be shaped differently to provide tactile feedbackto a user when actuating the at least one rotation control switch or thedirectional control switch.

The at least one rotation control switch may include a knob attached toa top side of the user control interface box body, the knob beingrotatable about a vertical axis. The user control interface box body mayfurther include protrusions extending parallel to the vertical axis ofthe at least one rotation control switch to limit travel of the rotationcontrol switch.

The directional control switch may include a joystick switch having alever extending laterally from the user control interface box body, thelever being movable along a vertical direction and a horizontal fore/aftdirection. The lever of the joystick switch may be spring loaded Theuser control interface box body may further include a protective housingfor the lever of the joystick switch, the protective housing beingconfigured to limit displacement of the lever of the joystick switch andprotect the at least one rotation control switch from being damaged orinadvertently operated during a transfer event.

The operating control may further include a microcontroller incommunication with the at least one rotation control switch and thedirectional control switch and with a controller area network of avehicle, the microcontroller being configured to monitor the controllerarea network to detect the presence of a PARK signal transmitted overthe controller area network and to disable operation of the operatingcontrol based on actuation of the at least one rotation control switchor the directional control switch when the PARK signal is not present.

The at least one rotation control switch may include two push buttonswitches, each push button switch being configured to be actuated tocontrol movement of the power transfer seat in one direction of rotationabout the vertical axis. The directional control switch may include aD-pad switch.

In accordance with another preferred and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, a mounting system for a power transfer seat base isprovided. The mounting system includes at least one removable crossmember, the at least one removable cross member being configured to beattached to the power transfer seat base at different locations in afore/aft direction, and at least one movable hook, the at least onemovable hook configured to be attached to the power transfer seat baseand the at least one removable cross member at different locations in alateral direction. The at least one removable cross member may includeat least two removable cross members. The mounting system may furtherinclude at least two attachment brackets disposed on the power transferseat base. Each of the at least two attachment brackets may be connectedto a respective one of the at least two removable cross members. Each ofthe at least two attachment brackets includes a plurality of adjustmentholes defined therein and spaced apart in the fore/aft direction. Eachof the at least two attachment brackets may be connected to therespective one of the at least two removable cross members by at leastone fastener engaging the respective one of the at least two removablecross members and at least one of the plurality of adjustment holes ofthe attachment bracket.

The at least one movable hook may include at least two movable hooks.The at least one removable cross member may include at least two sets ofadjustment holes defined therein at opposite ends of the at least oneremovable cross member. The adjustment holes of each set are spacedapart in the lateral direction. Each of the at least two removable hooksmay be connected to the at least one removable cross member by at leastone fastener engaging the movable hook and at least one of theadjustment holes of the set of adjustment holes in the respective end ofthe at least one removable cross member. The mounting assembly mayfurther include at least one movable fork configured to be attached to arear of the power transfer seat base at different locations in thelateral direction. The mounting system may include a vehicle specificinstallation kit.

In accordance with another preferred and non-limiting embodiment of thepresent invention, a method of assembling a power transfer seat base isprovided. The method includes providing a power transfer seat base thatincludes a top fixed plate, at least one fixed stop connected to anupper surface of the top fixed plate, a rotating plate, at least onerotating stop configured to be attached to a bottom surface of therotating plate, a user control interface box mounting bracket configuredto be mounted on the rotating plate, and a mounting system for the powertransfer seat base, the mounting system including at least one removablecross member and at least one movable hook. The method further includesselecting one of a right side configuration and a left sideconfiguration for the power transfer seat base, attaching the at leastone rotating stop to a side of the bottom surface of the rotating platebased on the selection of one of the right side configuration and theleft side configuration, mounting the user control interface boxmounting bracket on a side of the rotating plate based on the selectionof one of the right side configuration and the left side configuration,rotatably mounting the rotating plate to the top fixed plate, selectinga position of the power transfer seat base and the at least oneremovable cross member with respect to the at least one movable hook ina lateral direction, attaching the at least one movable hook to thepower transfer seat base and the at least one removable cross memberbased on the selected position in the lateral direction, selecting aposition of the power transfer seat base with respect to the at leastone removable cross member in a fore/aft direction, and attaching the atleast one movable cross member to the power transfer seat base based onthe selected position in the fore/aft direction.

These and other features and characteristics of the present invention,as well as the methods of operation and functions of the relatedelements of structures and the combination of parts and economies ofmanufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing description and with reference to the accompanying drawings,all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like referencenumerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures. It is tobe expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purposeof illustration and description only, and are not intended as adefinition of the limits of the invention. As used in the specificationand the claims, the singular form of “a”, “an”, and “the” include pluralreferents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an operating control for a six waypower transfer seat in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 1A depicts a perspective view of an operating control for a six waypower transfer seat in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 depicts a schematic view demonstrating the actuation andprotective elements of the operating control of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic of a CAN-based vehicle interlock system inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic of an interlock process performed by theCAN-based vehicle interlock system of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of a power transfer seat base for asix way power transfer seat in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded perspective view of a portion of the powertransfer seat base of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of a bottom surface of a rotatingplate of the power transfer seat base of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 depicts an exploded perspective view of the power transfer seatbase of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For purposes of the description hereinafter, the terms “end”, “upper”,“lower”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”,“lateral”, “longitudinal”, “fore/aft”, and derivatives thereof shallrelate to the invention as it is oriented in the drawing figures.However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume variousalternative variations and step sequences, except where expresslyspecified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specificdevices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, anddescribed in the following specification, are simply exemplaryembodiments of the invention. Hence, specific dimensions and otherphysical characteristics related to the embodiments disclosed herein arenot to be considered as limiting.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an operating control for a six waypower transfer seat is shown in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The operating control includes a user controlinterface box 10 having a user control interface box body 11, whichprovides a user interface for controlling movement of the power transferseat. The user control interface box body 11 is divided into a firstportion including the forward half 13 of the body 11 and a secondportion including the rearward half 12 of the body 11. The rearward half12 of the user control interface box body 11 includes a directionalcontrol switch 14. As shown, the directional control switch 14 includesa joystick switch having a lever located on the side of the user controlinterface box body 11 and extending laterally from the user controlinterface box body 11. The lever is movable along a vertical directionas indicated by the arrow A shown in FIG. 2 and a horizontal fore/aftdirection as indicated by the arrow B shown in FIG. 2. The joystickswitch 14 is actuated to control both the forward and rearward movementand the upward and downward movement functions of the power transferseat. Moving the lever of the joystick switch 14 forward makes the baseof the seat move forward, moving the lever up makes the base go up, andso on. The forward half 13 of the user control interface box body 11includes at least one rotation control switch 15, which includes a knobattached to a top side of the user control interface box body 11 androtatable about a vertical axis as indicated by the arrow C shown inFIG. 2. The at least one rotation control switch 15 is actuated tocontrol rotational movement of the power transfer seat about a verticalaxis. Rotating the knob of the at least one rotation control switch 15clockwise makes the seat rotate clockwise and vice versa. In anotherpreferred and non-limiting embodiment, the joystick switch 14 is locatedon a first portion of the user control interface box body 11, and the atleast one rotation control switch 15 is located on a second, differentportion of the user control interface box body 11. Further, the joystickswitch 14 and/or the rotation control switch 15 can be configured to beactuated to control any specified movement of the power transfer seat,including, but not limited to, forward movement, rearward movement,upward movement, downward movement, rotation movement about a verticalaxis, rotation movement about a horizontal axis, and/or any otherdesired movement of the power transfer seat.

In one preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the shapes of the rearwardand forward halves 12, 13 (or different portions) of the user controlinterface box body 11 are shaped differently in order to provide theuser with further tactile information when the user reaches for thejoystick and rotation control switches 14, 15. The combination of thelaterally oriented joystick switch 14 and the rotation control switch 15makes an arrangement that is more tactilely intuitive than previousiterations. Moreover, as the joystick switch 14 controls both forwardand rearward and upward and downward movement, the number of choicesthat the user has to make in engaging a switch has been limited, therebymaking it nearly impossible for the user to pick the wrong switch.

Because the user interface provided by the operating control is simplerto operate, it may also be more susceptible to inadvertent operation. Inorder to mitigate this eventuality, and in one preferred andnon-limiting embodiment, one or more protective elements are alsoprovided on the user control interface box body 11 to prevent or limitinadvertent operation. As shown in FIG. 2, at least one, and preferablymultiple (e.g., two) protrusions 17 are mounted parallel to the axis ofthe knob of the at least one rotation control switch 15 that serve thedual purpose of limiting the travel of the rotation control switch 15,thereby preventing the overloading of the switch by the operator, andprotecting the rotation control switch 15 from damage while the operatoris moving from the wheelchair to the vehicle driver's seat. Further,such protrusions 17 may be shaped or contoured to be comfortablycontacted or gripped by the user, while still providing access to therotation control switch 15. In addition, protrusions or other protectiveelements may be located on or near the joystick switch 14 to providesimilar protection.

In another preferred and non-limiting embodiment, the lever or bat ofthe joystick switch 14 is spring loaded such that, in the event a blowis taken by the joystick switch 14 along the axis of the lever, thejoystick switch 14 can compress into a protective housing 16 formed inthe rearward half 12 of the user control interface box body 11.Additionally, the surrounding protective housing 16 of the joystickswitch 14 is spaced such that, in the event the joystick switch 14 isdisplaced in any direction, it can only move just past the actuationpoint of the joystick switch 14 before contact is made between the leverof the joystick switch 14 and the protective housing 16, therebyprotecting the joystick switch 14 from damage when the operator ismoving from the wheelchair to the vehicle driver's seat.

With reference to FIG. 1A, an operating control for a six way powertransfer seat is shown in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention. The operating control illustrated in FIG. 1A operatesaccording to the same principles as the operating control describedabove with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, but provides a differentconfiguration of controls. In particular, the operating control includesa user control interface box 10A having a user control interface boxbody 11A, which provides a user interface for controlling movement of apower transfer seat. The user control interface box body 11A is dividedinto a first portion including the forward half 13A of the body 11A anda second portion including the rearward half 12A of the body 11A. Therearward half 12A of the user control interface box body 11A includes adirectional control switch 14A in the form of a D-pad switch. As shown,the D-pad switch 14A includes a segmented button or, alternatively,multiple buttons, which is/are arranged so that pressing on/actuation ofa particular portion of the button or on an individual button controlsthe power transfer seat to move in a direction corresponding to theposition of the portion of the button or individual button beingpressed/actuated. Accordingly, pressing or actuating the upper portionof the D-pad switch 14A causes the power transfer seat to move upward,pressing or actuating the lower portion of the D-pad switch 14A causesthe power transfer seat to move downward, pressing or actuating theforward portion of the D-pad switch 14A causes the power transfer seatto move forward, and pressing or actuating the rearward portion of theD-pad switch 14A causes the power transfer seat to move rearward. Inthis manner, the D-pad switch 14A is actuated to control both theforward and rearward movement and the upward and downward movementfunctions of the power transfer seat. The forward half 13A of the usercontrol interface box body 11A includes at least one rotation controlswitch, which includes two push button switches 15A, 15B. Each pushbutton switch 15A, 15B is configured to be actuated to control movementof the power transfer seat in one direction of rotation about thevertical axis. Pressing or actuating the push button switch 15A with theright pointing arrow causes the power transfer seat to rotate clockwiseabout the vertical axis, and pressing or actuating the push buttonswitch 15B with the left pointing arrow causes the power transfer seatto rotate counterclockwise about the vertical axis. It is to beappreciated that the D-pad switch 14A and/or the push button rotationcontrol switches 15A, 15B can be configured to be actuated to controlany specified movement of the power transfer seat, including, but notlimited to, forward movement, rearward movement, upward movement,downward movement, rotation movement about a vertical axis, rotationmovement about a horizontal axis, and/or any other desired movement ofthe power transfer seat. As in the embodiment of the operating controldiscussed above with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the rearward andforward halves 12A, 13A of the user control interface box body 11A maybe shaped differently to provide the user with further tactileinformation when the user reaches to press the D-pad switch 14A and/orthe push button rotation control switches 15A, 15B. It is to beappreciated that the user control interface box body 11A may include oneor more protective elements provided to protect the D-pad switch 14A andthe push button rotation control switches 15A, 15B from inadvertentoperation and damage. For instance, as shown in FIG. 1A, the push buttonrotation control switches 15A, 15B are recessed within the user controlinterface box body 11A.

It is to be appreciated with respect to both of the embodiment of FIGS.1 and 2, and the embodiment of FIG. 1A, that the user control interfacebox body 11, 11A is configurable for both driver and passenger sideapplications. In other words, the at least one rotation control switch15, 15A, 15B may be moved from one side of the user control interfacebox body 11, 11A to the other and the jumpers of the directional controlswitch 14, 14A may be swapped so that the user control interface box 10,10A may be positioned on either one of the left side or the right sideof the power transfer seat base.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, according to an additional preferredand non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the operatingcontrol may be provided with a CAN-based vehicle interlock system 100that disables the operating control when the vehicle is in motion.Modern automotive control systems are based on a series of vehiclemounted computer systems. These computers communicate with each otherover a network referred to as a Controller Area Network (CAN) 101. CANis a vehicle communications bus standard designed to allowmicrocontrollers and devices to communicate with each other within avehicle without a host computer. CAN bus is a message-based protocol,designed specifically for automotive applications.

As described above, it is desirable for the operating control of thepower transfer seat to be interlocked with the vehicle so that thetransfer seat controls are disabled when the vehicle is not parked. Toaccomplish the vehicle interlock, and in one preferred and non-limitingembodiment, the operating control is provided with a microcontroller 102capable of monitoring signals moving across the vehicle CAN 101, whichare transmitted over the CAN by a vehicle transmission 103 or any othercomponent of the CAN 101. By monitoring the CAN 101 for the absence ofthe vehicle's “PARK” signal, the microcontroller 102 provides a signalto the operating control that disables the transfer seat controls. Inparticular, the microcontroller 102 is in communication with the atleast one rotation control switch 15 and the directional control switch14 of the operating control. The microcontroller 102 monitors the CAN101 to detect the presence of a “PARK” signal transmitted over the CAN101 by the vehicle transmission 103 or other vehicle component incommunication with the CAN 101. When the “PARK” signal is not presentover the CAN 101, the microcontroller 102 disables operation of theoperating control based on actuation of the at least one rotationcontrol switch 15 or the directional control switch 14.

FIG. 4 illustrates a schematic of the interlock process performed by theCAN-based interlock system 100, particularly the microcontroller 102, toengage or disengage the interlock to disable or enable operating of theoperating control, in accordance with another preferred and non-limitingembodiment of the present invention. In an initial step 104, themicrocontroller 102 monitors the CAN 101 for the presence of the “PARK”signal sent by the vehicle transmission 103. In a following step 105,the microcontroller 102 determines whether the “PARK” signal istransmitted over the CAN 101. If the microcontroller 102 determines thatthe “PARK” signal is transmitted over the CAN 101, as indicated by step106, the microcontroller 102 proceeds to step 108 to enable functioningof the operating control in response to actuation of the at least onerotation control switch 15 and/or the directional control switch 14. Theprocess then returns to the initial monitoring step 104. If themicrocontroller 102 determines that the “PARK” signal is not transmittedover the CAN 101, as indicated by step 107, the microcontroller 102proceeds to step 109 to disable functioning of the operating control inresponse to actuation of the at least one rotation control switch 15and/or the directional control switch 14. The process then returns tothe initial monitoring step 104. It is to be appreciated that theprocess detailed in FIG. 4 is exemplary only. The CAN-based interlocksystem 100 may be configured and programmed in any manner known to besuitable to those having ordinary skill in the art to provide interlockcapability to the operating control.

With reference to FIGS. 5-8, a configurable power transfer seat base 20is shown in accordance with another preferred and non-limitingembodiment of the present invention. Given that it may be desired toinstall the seat base 20 in either the driver's or front passenger'spositions, the power transfer seat base 20 is designed to permit therotate function and the mounting of the user control interface box body11 to be field-configurable. Most commonly, the transfer seat base 20will be installed in the driver's position (on the left-hand side of thevehicle) and will be configured to rotate clockwise (as oriented fromabove the seat looking down) away from the driver's position and backagain. In the event the seat is to be moved to the passenger side (onthe right-hand side of the vehicle), the power transfer seat base 20must be reconfigured to rotate in the opposite direction.

As shown in FIGS. 5-7, the power transfer seat base 20 includes, amongstother components, a top fixed plate 21, a rotating plate 22 rotatablymounted above the top fixed plate 21, and a user control interface boxmounting bracket 25 for mounting the user control interface box 10 tothe power transfer seat base 20. The rotating plate 22 is configured sothat the user control interface box mounting bracket 25 and at least onerotating stop 24 may be connected to the rotating plate 22 at differentpositions. The rotating plate 22 is provided with mounting holes 26 onboth lateral sides thereof for attachment of the mounting bracket 25,and, thus, the user control interface box 10 mounted on the user controlinterface box mounting bracket 25, to the rotating plate 22. At leastone, and preferably multiple (e.g., two) fixed stops 23 are mechanicallyattached on an upper surface of the top fixed plate 21 and the at leastone rotating stop 24 is fastened to a bottom surface of the rotatingplate 22 where the rotating plate 22 engages the top fixed plate 21. Therotating plate 22 is provided with mounting holes 27 formed on opposinglateral sides of the bottom surface thereof for attachment of the atleast one rotating stop 24 to the rotating plate 22. The fixed stops 23on the top fixed plate 21 are configured to engage the at least onerotating stop 24 on the rotating plate 22 to stop rotation of therotating plate 22 with respect to the top fixed plate 21 in a givendirection of rotation. Accordingly, providing two fixed stops 23 on theupper surface of the top fixed plate 21, as shown in FIG. 6, and onerotating stop 27 on the bottom surface of the rotating plate 22, asshown in FIG. 7, limits rotational movement of the rotating plate 22,and, thus, the power transfer seat, between a position wherein the powertransfer seat faces in the forward direction of the vehicle and aposition wherein the power transfer seat is oriented laterally to allowfor entry and exit of the vehicle.

The power transfer seat base 20 is reconfigured to change the directionof rotation by moving the rotating stop 24 from one lateral side of therotating plate 22 to the other, as shown in FIG. 7; moving the usercontrol interface box mounting bracket 25 from one lateral side of therotating plate 22 to the other side; and moving the user controlinterface box 10 by inverting the rotation control switch 15 andchanging a jumper on the joystick switch 14 to maintain the correctorientation of the raise/lower function. Of course, it is envisionedthat the fixed stops 23 and/or the rotating stops 24 may be positionedto allow the seat to be moved to any desirable position within or inconnection with the vehicle. In addition, the mounting bracket 25 may beconfigured for use in a variety of applications and to suit anyparticular user. As such, the mounting bracket 25 may be adjustable,rotatable, removably detachable, or any other configuration to allow forthe adjustment and/or movement of the mounting bracket 25 and/or theuser control interface box 10.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the power transfer seat base 20 also includesa mounting system 30 for the power transfer seat base 20, which is shownin accordance with yet another preferred and non-limiting embodiment ofthe present invention. The mounting system 30 is configurable so thatthe power transfer seat base 20 may be installed in a variety ofvehicles. In particular, the mounting system 30 includes at least one,and preferably multiple (e.g., two) removable cross members 31 thataccommodate variation in the mounting position of the base 20 in thefore/aft direction of the vehicle by being connectable to attachmentbrackets 34 provided on the power transfer seat base 20 at multiplepositions. The mounting system 30 also includes at least one, andpreferably multiple (e.g., two) movable hooks 36 that accommodatevariation in the mounting position of the base 20 in the lateral (e.g.,right/left direction) by connecting the removable cross members 31and/or the power transfer seat base 20 to the vehicle in a manner thatallows for different side-to-side spacing. The mounting system 30 mayfurther include at least one, and preferably multiple (e.g., two)movable forks 40 that cooperate with the movable hooks 36 to mount thepower transfer seat base 20 to the vehicle in a manner that accommodatesvariation in the mounting position of the base 20 in the lateraldirection.

In particular, the removable cross members 31 are connected to the powertransfer seat base 20 at different locations in the fore/aft directionand the movable hooks 36 are attached to the power transfer seat base 20and at least one of the removable cross members 31 at differentlocations in the lateral direction. The mounting system 30 includes theattachment brackets 34 disposed on the power transfer seat base 20. Eachof the attachment brackets 34 is connected to a respective one of theremovable cross members 31. According to one embodiment, two attachmentbrackets 34, one bracket 34 provided on each lateral side of the base20, are provided for connection to each of the removable cross members31 provided. Thus, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5, the mountingsystem 30 is provided with two removable cross members 31 spaced apartin the fore/aft direction and four corresponding attachment brackets 34.Each of the attachment brackets 34 includes a plurality of adjustmentholes 35 defined therein, which are spaced apart in the fore/aftdirection. Each of the attachment brackets 34 is connected to therespective one of the removable cross members 31 by at least onefastener 33 engaging holes 32 formed in a portion of the respectiveremovable cross member 31 and at least one of the plurality ofadjustment holes 35 foamed in the attachment bracket 34. In this manner,the position of the power transfer seat base 20 with respect to theremovable cross members 31 in the fore/aft direction may be adjusted orconfigured by selecting which of the plurality of adjustment holes 35 ofthe attachment brackets 34 are to be engaged with fasteners 33 toconnect the removable cross members 31 to the power transfer seat base20.

At least one of the removable cross members 31 may include at least twosets of adjustment holes 39 defined therein at opposite lateral ends ofthe removable cross member 31, which extend through the removable crossmember 31. The adjustment holes 39 of each set are spaced apart in thelateral direction. Each of the movable hooks 36 is connected to arespective one of the removable cross members 31 by at least onefastener 38 engaging the movable hook 36 and at least one of theadjustment holes 39 in the set of adjustment holes 39 in the respectiveend of the removable cross member 31. As shown in FIG. 8, the fastener38 is a bolt that engages the movable hook 36, passes through theselected attachment hole 39 in the removable cross member 31, and thenengages an attachment plate 37 that is slid over an end of the movablehook 36 to rigidly connect the movable hook 36 to the removable crossmember 31. In this manner, the position of the removable cross members31, and, thus, the power transfer seat base 20, in the lateral directionmay be adjusted or configured by selecting which of the plurality ofadjustment holes 39 of the removable cross member 31 are to be engagedwith the bolts 38 to connect the removable cross member 31 to themovable hooks 36. As discussed above, the mounting system 30 may alsoinclude at least one and preferably multiple, e.g., two, movable forks40 that are configured to be attached by fasteners 41 to a rear of thepower transfer seat base 20 at different locations in the lateraldirection.

It is to be appreciated that the movable hooks 36, movable forks 40,and/or the removable cross members 31 are connected, directly orindirectly, to existing mooring points built in the vehicle floor. Sincedifferent vehicles are likely to have different types and configurationsof mooring points, prior art mounting systems for power transfer seatshad to be individually configured for a variety of different vehicleconfigurations. The mounting system 30 of the present invention mayavoid the necessity of providing differently configured mounting systemsfor a variety of vehicles by making the connections between the elementsof the mounting system 30 and the power seat transfer base 20 adjustableand configurable. Alternatively, the mounting system 30 may include avehicle specific installation kit.

With reference to FIGS. 5-8, according to one other preferred andnon-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a method of assemblinga power transfer seat base 20 is provided. The method includes providinga power transfer seat base 20 having a top fixed plate 21, at least onefixed stop 23 connected to an upper surface of the top fixed plate 21, arotating plate 22, at least one rotating stop 24 connected to a bottomsurface of the rotating plate 22, a user control interface box mountingbracket 25 configured to be mounted on the rotating plate 22, and amounting system 30 for the power transfer seat base 20, which includesat least one removable cross member 31 and at least one movable hook 36.The method further includes selecting one of a right side configurationand a left side configuration for the power transfer seat base 20,attaching the at least one rotating stop 24 to a side of the bottomsurface of the rotating plate 22 based on the selection of one of theright side configuration and the left side configuration, mounting theuser control interface box mounting bracket 25 on a side of the rotatingplate 22 based on the selection of one of the right side configurationand the left side configuration, rotatably mounting the rotating plate22 to the top fixed plate 21, selecting a position of the power transferseat base 20 and the at least one removable cross member 31 with respectto the at least one movable hook 36 in a lateral direction, attachingthe at least one movable hook 36 to the power transfer seat base 20 andthe at least one removable cross member 31 based on the selectedposition in the lateral direction, selecting a position of the powertransfer seat base 20 with respect to the at least one removable crossmember 31 in a fore/aft direction, and attaching the at least oneremovable cross member 31 to the power transfer seat base 20 based onthe selected position in the fore/aft direction.

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternativevariations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to thecontrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices andprocesses illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in thespecification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the invention.Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose ofillustration based on what is currently considered to be the mostpractical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that suchdetail is solely for that purpose and that the invention is not limitedto the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to covermodifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit andscope thereof. For example, it is to be understood that the presentinvention contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or morefeatures of any embodiment can be combined with one or more features ofany other embodiment.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An operating control for a power transferseat, comprising: a user control interface box body; at least onerotation control switch disposed on a first portion of the user controlinterface box body, the at least one rotation control switch configuredto be actuated to control rotational movement of the power transfer seatabout a vertical axis; and a directional control switch disposed on asecond portion of the user control interface box body, the directionalcontrol switch configured to be actuated to control forward and rearwardmovement of the transfer seat base and upward and downward movement ofthe power transfer seat.
 2. The operating control according to claim 1,wherein the first portion of the user control interface box bodycomprises a forward half of the user control interface box body and thesecond portion of the user control interface box body comprises arearward half of the user control interface box body, and wherein theuser control interface box body is configurable for both driver andpassenger side applications.
 3. The operating control according to claim2, wherein the forward half and the rearward half of the user controlinterface box body are shaped differently to provide tactile feedback toa user when actuating the at least one rotation control switch or thedirectional control switch.
 4. The operating control according to claim1, wherein the at least one rotation control switch comprises a knobattached to a top side of the user control interface box body, the knobbeing rotatable about a vertical axis.
 5. The operating controlaccording to claim 4, wherein the user control interface box bodyfurther includes protrusions extending parallel to the vertical axis ofthe at least one rotation control switch to limit travel of the at leastone rotation control switch and protect the at least one rotationcontrol switch.
 6. The operating control according to claim 1, whereinthe directional control switch comprises a joystick switch that includesa lever extending laterally from the user control interface box body,the lever being movable along a vertical direction and a horizontalfore/aft direction.
 7. The operating control according to claim 6,wherein the lever of the joystick switch is spring loaded.
 8. Theoperating control according to claim 6, wherein the user controlinterface box body further includes a protective housing for the leverof the joystick switch, the protective housing being configured to limitdisplacement of the lever of the joystick switch.
 9. The operatingcontrol according to claim 1, further comprising a microcontroller incommunication with the at least one rotation control switch and thedirectional control switch and with a controller area network of avehicle, the microcontroller being configured to monitor the controllerarea network to detect the presence of a PARK signal transmitted overthe controller area network and to disable operation of the operatingcontrol based on actuation of the rotation control switch or thedirectional control switch when the PARK signal is not present.
 10. Theoperating control according to claim 1, wherein the at least onerotation control switch comprises two push button switches, each pushbutton switch being configured to be actuated to control movement of thepower transfer seat in one direction of rotation about the verticalaxis.
 11. The operating control according to claim 1, wherein thedirectional control switch includes a D-pad switch.
 12. A mountingsystem for a power transfer seat base, comprising: at least oneremovable cross member, the at least one removable cross member beingconfigured to be attached to the power transfer seat base at differentlocations in a fore/aft direction; and at least one movable hook, the atleast one movable hook configured to be attached to the power transferseat base and the at least one movable cross member at differentlocations in a lateral direction.
 13. The mounting system according toclaim 12, wherein the at least one removable cross member comprises atleast two removable cross members.
 14. The mounting system according toclaim 13, wherein the mounting system further comprises at least twoattachment brackets disposed on the power transfer seat base, whereineach of the at least two attachment brackets is connected to arespective one of the at least two removable cross members, wherein eachof the at least two attachment brackets includes a plurality ofadjustment holes defined therein and spaced apart in the fore/aftdirection, and wherein each of the at least two attachment brackets isconnected to the respective one of the at least two removable crossmembers by at least one fastener engaging the respective one of the atleast two removable cross members and at least one of the plurality ofadjustment holes of the attachment bracket.
 15. The mounting systemaccording to claim 12, wherein the at least one movable hook comprisesat least two movable hooks.
 16. The mounting system according to claim15, wherein the at least one removable cross member includes at leasttwo sets of adjustment holes defined therein at opposite ends of the atleast one removable cross member, wherein the adjustment holes of eachset are spaced apart in the lateral direction, and wherein each of theat least two movable hooks is connected to the at least one removablecross member by at least one fastener engaging the movable hook and atleast one of the adjustment holes of the set of adjustment holes in therespective end of the at least one removable cross member.
 17. Themounting system according to claim 12, wherein the mounting assemblyfurther comprises at least one movable fork configured to be attached toa rear of the power transfer seat base at different locations in thelateral direction.
 18. The mounting system according to claim 12,wherein the mounting system comprises a vehicle specific installationkit.